Jakarta (ANTARA News) - In response to an ANTARA News report published on Friday, 22 April 2016, titled “Extradition Agreement with Singapore to Help Arrest More Fugitives: Kalla” as well as similar media reports in Indonesia on the same topic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Singapore Spokesman on Saturday said:

“The article quoted Vice-President Jusuf Kalla as stating that Singapore “never wants to sign” an extradition agreement with Indonesia, and that “hopefully, Singapore will change its outlook and will be willing to sign an extradition (agreement)”. Vice-President Kalla’s comments are incorrect and misleading.

Singapore and Indonesia signed the Extradition Treaty and Defence Cooperation Agreement as a package in April 2007 in Bali. The signing of the package was witnessed by then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. In fact, the agreements were signed when Vice-President Kalla was then also the Vice-President of Indonesia.

Both agreements are currently pending ratification by the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR). Singapore is ready to proceed with both agreements once Indonesia is ready to do so. Notwithstanding, Singapore and Indonesia continue to enjoy good bilateral cooperation in law enforcement and in dealing with criminal matters.

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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